Can You Calculate Projectile Top Speed Using Acceleration Data?

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Calculating the top speed of a projectile using acceleration data is feasible if an accelerometer is attached during launch. Continuous data collection throughout the flight allows for the calculation of instantaneous speeds. However, determining a ballistic path can also be achieved using measurements such as the highest point, horizontal distance, launch angle, and elapsed time. While using an accelerometer may provide more accuracy, it is not strictly necessary for calculating top speed. Simple mathematical methods can be utilized for these calculations.
byrner
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Is it possible to calculate the top speed of a projectile from acceleration data? Like if an accelerometer was attached to a projectile when it is launced from stationary position would it be possible to calculate the top speed the projectile reached? If the accelerometer was gathering data during the whole flight of the projectile could instantaneous speeds be calculated?
 
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I believe that a ballistic path can be determined using only the following measurements: the highest point of the curve, the horizontal distance traveled, the angle at launch relative to the ground, and the elapsed time. The method above might be more accurate, but it is not necessary to resort to an accelerometer to calculate top speed. I don't remember the exact formulas, but I'm sure they can help you in any math forum with a little calculus.

Sorry if that's not helpful to you. I just thought I would throw it out there because of its simplicity.
 

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